WARREN, Ohio. – The SFU Red Leafs fired a team total of 9-over par 297 to finish tied for 11^th after the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Division II National Golf Championship being played at the Avalon Lakes par 72, 7,287-yard course.
 
Bailey Bjornson and Jordan Bean were the leaders for SFU with 1-over par 73s and are tied for 31^st in the individual leaderboard.  Ryan Hodgins came in with a 3-over par 75 and sits tied for 48th. Aidan Goodfellow shot 76 and is tied for 60th. Michael Crisologo rounded out the Lee scoring with a 9-over 81.
 
Missouri Science and Technology (Rollo, Mo.), the 31st ranked team in DII, posted a 4-under par 284 and claimed the first-round lead. Only three other teams, No. 7 Grand Valley State (-2), No. 9 Oklahoma Christian (-2) and No. 2 Barry (Fla.) (-1) posted under-par scores.
 
No. 28^th ranked SFU is tied with defending champion Lee University and unranked Indiana University of PA in 11^th spot out of 20 teams, 13 strokes behind the leader at the 54-hole event.
 
Sam Tandy of Harding University (Ark.) fired an impressive 6-under par 66 for the lead in the medalist hunt. Three others were one stroke back and 21 players played under-par golf on opening day.
 
GNAC rival Western Washington is 17^th.
 
SFU will tee off starting at 9:16 a.m. (PT) for Tuesday's second round with live scoring available via Golfstat.com and paired with Harding University and Lee University. SFU's Goodfellow will be paired with clubhouse leader Sam Tandy of Harding, teeing off at 9:49 (PT).
 
LEARN TO PLAY GOLF WITH PRO KAT KENNEDY & WOMEN'S GOLF TEAM | JUNE 2
 Enjoy a free introduction to golf on Friday, June 2 (4-5 p.m.) on Terry Fox Field with pro golfer and SFU assistant coach, Kat Kennedy, and the women's golf team, in celebration of International Women's Golf Day and PGA of BC Women's Golf Week. Everyone is welcome. No previous golf experience needed. All equipment will be provided. Registration is free and includes welcome gift, promotions to local golf facilities, prizes, and golf apparel odds and ends sale. Register: https://athletics.sfu.ca/womensgolfday
 

THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD
 Here is a look at the 20-team field for the 2023 NCAA Division II Golf Men's Golf Championships that will be played May 22-26 at Avalon Lakes Golf & Country Club in Warren, Ohio. The field consists of 20 teams from across the country, with a minimum of three teams from each of the four super regional sits. The tournament format features three rounds of individual stroke play competition, with the top eight teams advancing to head-to-head medal play. Lee University is the defending national champion, defeating Oklahoma Christian in the 2022 championship finals.
 
2023 NCAA DIVISION II MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
May 22-26, 2023
Avalon Lakes Golf & Country Club | Par 72 | 7,287 Yards | Warren, Ohio
Format: 54 hole stroke play followed by top 8 teams in match play
3 Rounds: (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday)
Tournament Size: Teams-20, Individuals-8, Field Size-108
Host: Mountain East Conference and Avalon Lakes at The Grand Resort
 
Teams (ordered by Golfstat ranking)
West Florida (#1)
Barry (#2)
North Georgia (#3)
Lee (#4)
Nova Southeastern (#6)
Grand Valley State (#7)
Georgia Southwestern (#8)
Oklahoma Christian (#9)
Sonoma State (#10)
Western Washington (#11)
Chico State (#19)
Simon Fraser (#28)
Missouri S&T (#31)
Washburn (#47)
Harding (#48)
Southern Arkansas (#64)
Maryville (#68)
Indiana (#74)
Davis & Elkins (#78)
Fayetteville State (#106)
 
#RepTheLeaf